Champions League Knockout Stages: Complete Guide

The Champions League knockout stages bring the best football Europe has to offer. Here is your complete guide to the tournament.

Format Changes

The new Swiss-model league phase has changed how teams qualify for the knockouts. The top eight teams qualify directly, while those placed 9th to 24th enter a playoff round.

Teams to Watch

The usual suspects from Spain, England, and Germany are always strong, but teams from other leagues have been making deep runs in recent years. Italian and French clubs have invested heavily.

Key Stats

Home advantage in the knockout stages is real but declining. Teams that score away goals tend to progress more often than not. Check our League Stats page for detailed Champions League numbers.